Contributions
397 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDMortgages: EWS1 FormAt the heart of this is a very simple question, which I do not believe the Minster has actually answered: what action do the Government intend to take in the event that mortgage…29 Jun 2021HANSARDHousing: New DevelopmentsMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper and declare my interest as a vice-president of the Local Government Association.17 Jun 2021HANSARDHousing: New DevelopmentsI thank the Minister for what he said, but could he explain how involving the public only every five years when a plan is drawn up, alongside so many sites under the new reforms…17 Jun 2021HANSARDHousing: New DevelopmentsTo ask Her Majesty’s Government how their proposed changes to the planning process will ensure that the public is supportive of new housing developments.17 Jun 2021HANSARDTown and Country Planning (General Permitted Development etc.) (England) (Amendment) Order 2021My Lords, I too declare my interest as a vice-president of the LGA. I have a very strong sense of déjà vu, or Groundhog Day, because here we go again. This is of course a key…08 Jun 2021HANSARDQueen’s SpeechMy Lords, this has been a wide-ranging and fascinating debate, and my contribution will focus solely on one aspect of the much-heralded planning reforms: public engagement, or the…17 May 2021HANSARDLeaseholders and Property Management CompaniesMy Lords, the housing complaints resolution service was proudly announced in January 2019 as a portal system to overcome what James Brokenshire, the then Minister for Housing,…29 Apr 2021HANSARDIndustrial Strategy: Local GrowthTo ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Annual Report by the Industrial Strategy Council, published on 23 March, which recommended the development of…26 Apr 2021HANSARDIndustrial Strategy: Local GrowthI thank the Minister for that reply. One wonders why, if it was so pivotal, the council is being disbanded. The report is critical of the Government’s proposed approach to…26 Apr 2021HANSARDPlanning: Net Zero Emissions TargetsMy Lords, core to this issue is the forthcoming future home standard, which currently threatens to remove the discretion of local authorities to set zero-carbon policies that go…19 Apr 2021HANSARDHeat PumpsFrom talking to my local authority colleagues, I know that their concern is that, for heat pumps to work effectively and actually reduce fuel bills, homes first need to be…22 Mar 2021HANSARDWomen in Elected OfficeIt is very well documented and has been said that one of the main issues for women when they eventually get to this place is the culture. As the Minister herself just said,…08 Mar 2021HANSARDCovid-19: May ElectionsI pay tribute to the way in which local government is swinging behind these elections and getting them done. I want to hone down on the count. ROs and election officers in…25 Feb 2021HANSARDNon-Domestic Rating (Lists) (No. 2) BillMy Lords, I, too, am a vice-president of the Local Government Association. I wish to speak in favour of Amendment 6, which stands in my name and that of my noble friend Lady…04 Feb 2021HANSARDHospitality Sector MinisterVAT and business rates have already been mentioned, which are two important issues to be clarified as soon as possible. There have also been several extensions to the Coronavirus…03 Feb 2021HANSARDTackling Intergenerational Unfairness (Select Committee Report)I am pleased to follow the noble Baroness, Lady Blackstone, who demonstrated her mastery of the art of diplomatic disagreement and tenacity in some passionate exchanges during our…25 Jan 2021HANSARDNon-Domestic Rating (Lists) (No. 2) BillI remind the House that I am a vice-president of the Local Government Association. As my noble friend Lord Shipley and others have so ably stated, we have few issues around the…18 Jan 2021HANSARDChild WelfareMinister, much has been said about cross-departmental working with some welcome remarks about civil society. In a post-pandemic recovery plan, is there any political will within…07 Jan 2021HANSARDCarbon-neutral HomesTo ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress they have made towards (1) the target for carbon neutral homes by 2050, and (2) improving energy efficiency standards for existing…10 Dec 2020HANSARDCarbon-neutral HomesI thank the Minister for his Answer and I hope he will agree that, with these things, the devil will be in the detail. For example, the Government’s ambition to install 600,000…10 Dec 2020